The following press release was issued by the Wentzville School District:

The Wentzville School District has announced its revised free and reduced price policy for school children unable to pay the full price of meals served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Federal education officials have adopted the following family-size income criteria for deter­mining eligibility:

Children from families whose current income is at or below these levels are eligible for free or reduced price meals. Applications are available at each school office in the District. To apply, fill out a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application and return it to the school. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. A complete application is required as a condition of eligibility.

A complete application includes: (1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/Temporary Assistance case number, (2) names of all household members, and (3) the signature and last four digits of the social security number or indication of no social security number of the adult household member signing the application. School officials may verify current income at any time during the school year.

Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. If a family member becomes unemployed or if family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for these benefits.

Under the provisions of the policy, the Child Nutrition Department Administrative Assistant will review the applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling, they may discuss the decision with the hearing official on an informal basis or they may make a request either orally or in writing to the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services at: One Campus Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385, (636)-327-3800. Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy. A complete copy of the policy is on file in each school and in the Central Office where any interested party may review it.